My 15 Must-Have Beauty Staples

Before you start reading this in hopes of finding some People Magazine-worthy article similar to "What's in (insert celebrity name here)'s Beauty Bag?" I have to give you a few little disclaimers:

Me. See? Super normal.

1. I'm not what you would call a beauty expert or a makeup pro: I air-dry my hair, wear it in a sloppy bun and forego makeup 9 days out of 10
2. I only recommend products that I've personally used for a good bit of time and have grown to love - it's not about brand name or price for me; it's about effectiveness and quality 
3. The only products on this list that I am compensated to endorse are Nerium products, but I'm not here to sell you anything and I don't make money by talking about any of these other products.  I just love them!

Now, let's get onto it. Here are some of my favorites that I keep coming back to, time and again, with the occasional Birchbox item thrown into the mix (by the way, if you haven't tried Birchbox, you MUST). So, in no particular order of favoritism:

The entire NeriumAD line (which is currently in the midst of introducing new products and undergoing a complete rebranding - we're excited!): NeriumAD Age-Defying Night Treatment; its sidekick, NeriumAD Age-Defying Day Cream; and NeriumFirm Body Contouring Cream.

Let's start with the night cream.  NeriumAD is a simple, one-step solution for multiple skin issues (perfect for lazy/busy/forgetful people like myself), which addresses the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, pore size, discoloration, sun damage, and aging or loose/sagging skin. I was introduced to this product by an esthetician whose opinion I trust, and I quickly got hooked. Before you say "I don't have time for a routine," Nerium isn't a regimen! Say goodbye to those 4 or 10-step systems that give you a separate product for wrinkles, eyes, skin tone, de-puffing, etc.  This one little bottle does it all!

Anyway, I'm not quite 30, so I wasn't really in search of an anti-aging product. But I've always had large pores and oily skin, and I was starting to notice some sun damage and uneven skin tone and texture. Like most people, I had a drawer full of half-used bottles of impulse buys - lotions and potions that claimed to work wonders and ended up in the product purgatory that was my bathroom. It's disappointing when this happens, because some of these items were expensive and I even had adverse reactions to a couple of them - but we all know you can't get a refund on used cosmetic products. 

My 30-day Results with NeriumAD

When I tried the NeriumAD Night Treatment, I liked how different it felt. Unlike anything I've ever tried, there's no water in it, there's no perfume-y fragrance, and the list of ingredients was surprisingly free of harsh chemicals. An entirely botanical product, NeriumAD smells exactly like a plant, which was refreshing to me. It made me wonder what I'd really been putting on my face all these years while I was enjoying the scent of strawberries and perfume (NOT natural, FYI!)

NeriumAD Night Treatment is a mask, so you apply it to a clean, damp face (damp being the important word here), and you instantly feel a tightening sensation and think "ooh it's working." The best part is that you don't have to change your current facial cleanser - so keep using whatever your favorite product is, as long as it's not anything harsh. The product changes as it dries - it goes on kind of yellowish-tan and the botanical scent is noticeable (I liken it to the smell of cucumber or green tea). But as it dries, the scent fades and so does the color - when applied correctly, NeriumAD dries into a transparent mask that you can barely see, unless you get it in your eyebrows (no green face here!) and then you go to sleep. For anyone not used to sleeping with a face mask, the first night or two can take some getting used to, but after more than a year now, it's like second nature. 

My 30-day Results with NeriumAD

When you wake up in the morning, you simply rinse off the mask with warm water - no need to wash with soap again - and towel dry. Then you can follow up with an (optional) application of NeriumAD Age-Defying Day Cream, which is my favorite of the three topical Nerium products. The day cream is a very light, quick-absorbing moisturizer with no fragrance. In addition, it's also loaded with beneficial ingredients that complement those of the night treatment (and actually turbo-charge the skin-improving results). To name a few, there's the patented ingredient, NAE-8, Nerium's globally exclusive, patented super-antioxidant. Then there's the proprietary protein blend, a peptide matrix and collagen, hyaluronic acid (the same stuff they put in all those fancy spa treatments and fillers), vitamin C, aloe, and more. 

When I tell you it's not greasy, I mean it. I'm someone who used to have chronically oily skin and without ever wearing makeup or moisturizer, I'd have an oil slick on my face by the end of each day. Blotting papers, anyone? The night cream has diminished my pores and decreased my oiliness, and the day cream gives me a healthy glow that gets me lots of compliments on my complexion.  As if I wasn't thrilled already, I noticed my fine lines were disappearing (added bonus). I didn't have many, but I had the beginnings of some forehead lines and a few sneaky ones forming under my eyes (see before and after pictures above). Now? Barely there. And no more orange-peel skin with pores the size of freckles. Winning!

NeriumFirm on thighs - results 90 days or less

Now onto the juicy stuff: the NeriumFirm body contouring cream.  This stuff is liquid gold! With more than six active key ingredients, NeriumFirm is clinically proven to reduce the appearance of loose and sagging skin, cellulite and dimpling. My friends who use it have also reported improvements in the appearance of stretch marks and scars, but Nerium doesn't endorse such claims. Anyway, this miracle in a bottle is also simple to use: apply twice a day to problem areas (heads up: it will work best on exfoliated, damp skin - think post-shower after using a scrub and a loofah), massage into skin for 20-30 seconds, and voila! You're on your way to smoother, tighter skin from head to toe. 

NeriumFirm Body Contour Cream
NeriumAD Age-Defying Night Treatment
NeriumAD Age-Defying Day Cream

Like any beauty blog, I have to divulge how much these products cost and where you can get them. Of course, since Nerium is a relationship marketing company, you can only purchase it through an independent brand partner (like myself). If you see Nerium on Amazon, eBay, or any other online sales site do NOT buy it! For one thing, people are faking the product by diluting it or even replacing it with water or lotion and trying to pass it off as Nerium. These imposters often sell the fake product for a lower price, which is why people fall for it, but believe me: you can NOT trust the integrity of the product when ordering from anywhere besides a brand partner's website.

Furthermore, let me do you a favor by warning you that you would forfeit Nerium's unprecedented 30-day money back guarantee by ordering from an un-reputable source. Yes, that's right, Nerium will let you use an entire bottle, a 30-day supply, of any of its products AND they'll refund your money if you're dissatisfied for any reason. What?! I dare you to walk into Sephora or Lancôme with an empty bottle of high-end product and ask for a refund! 

So what does it cost? Nerium's prices are in-the-moment. The night treatment sells for $80, the day cream and night cream combo pack costs $120, and the NeriumFirm costs $80. Or, if that's too steep for you (but really it's a steal), you can get your products for free on an ongoing basis.  Just refer three customers to Nerium and you'll get your order free for as long as they remain customers. How's that for a loyalty program? I assure you, I'm definitely not getting my Birchbox subscription for free (or any of these other products, for that matter), even though I've told countless friends. For more information talk to your local Nerium brand partner, visit Nerium's website, or if you heard it here first, check out www.championj.nerium.com and tell your friends! Referrals always appreciated and in some cases, rewarded!

Moving on, let's jump to the products I don't get paid to endorse. My next wonder item is Caudalie Divine Oil. This stuff is just delicious (but not in the edible sense, so please don't drink it)! I first received a tiny sample of Divine Oil from Sephora as part of my online order (for anyone who has been living under a rock, Sephora generously rewards any online order with three free samples - one of the perks of avoiding the busy mall and shopping in your pajamas). From the moment I tried this stuff I knew life just wouldn't be the same.

Caudalie Divine Oil - $32 at Sephora

Caudalie is a French brand known for its luxurious beauty products. Divine Oil is made from grapeseed oil and the bottle says it can be applied to skin, hair and face. I only use it on my cuticles, hands and elbows, but I'm obsessed. I carry it in my purse and use it every day. As a frequent hand washer, my hands dry out a lot and sometimes lotion just doesn't do the trick. You may be thinking oil would be greaser than lotion, but this is a dry oil! It absorbs right into your skin with just a few seconds of rubbing, and a little goes a looooong way! I only need about a drop per finger, so the bottle lasts forever, and I don't have to reapply each time I wash my hands because it penetrates into the skin (whereas a lot of lotions sit on the surface of your skin and wash right off).

I also frequently get my nails done (my only regular girly indulgence), and using the Divine Oil daily makes my nails look better (no white, dry cuticles) and seems to help my manicures last longer. It also has a neutral, pleasant, powdery aroma. The tiny sample I received was the size of a perfume tester, and lasted me well over a month with regular use. Then I purchased the 1.7 ounce size, which is perfect for a purse or carry-on, and will last months. They have a larger size too, in case you use it all over your body and need a lifetime supply. Sephora sells Caudalie Divine Oil for $9 in a half-ounce tester bottle, and $32 for the 1.7 ounce bottle.  Either way, you can't lose!

Living Proof "Full" hair products: endorsed by Jennifer Aniston, you may be familiar with this luxe line. If you ask me, I'll use anything she uses. I'd use Aveeno too, if I liked it. But anyway, I have super fine hair. And I have a lot of it, but it doesn't look thick and full because it's so fine. I'll wash it in the morning and it's greasy before bedtime. I usually let it air dry, like I said, because I'm low maintenance (aka lazy). But even when I do get all dolled up and go the extra mile to blow dry my hair, I end up having to use countless volumizing products and that gets tiring.

Travel Kit - $29 at Sephora

Again, Living Proof was another free sample from Sephora (are you sold on the benefits of online shopping yet?) that I loved. I use their entire Full line - the shampoo, conditioner, volumizing mousse, thickening cream, styling mist, and the Prime style extender. These products make my blow-out last much longer than it normally does with all the other products I've tried, and my hair looks more lush and soft without any of the textural mishaps that can happen with some products. Huge fan. No sulfates or crazy fragrance, although I don't mind a nice fragrance in my hair products, but at least it feels healthy and won't clash with my perfume. The full-size shampoo and conditioner go for $24 each, so it's a splurge for sure, but worth it even if you only use it on the weekends.  And since I don't do my hair often, I found a way to stretch my dollars by purchasing the travel kit instead of the full sizes of the other products I mentioned. For $29 you get all those lovely items, and they're small enough to take anywhere.

By now you're probably wondering if I'm ever going to recommend a product that you can find at your local drug store. And the answer is yes! This next item is another lucky find for hair-challenged girls like me. It's called Not Your Mother's Clean Freak dry shampoo. Now, I've tried all kinds of dry shampoos, from the most expensive and luxurious to the cheapest. Some brands leave a white residue or a film behind, which is even worse for a dark-haired girl than having greasy hair in the first place. I'm a brunette with very dark hair, and I don't do hats, so dry shampoo literally saves me on an almost daily basis.

Not Your Mother's brand is inexpensive ($4.74 at Walmart to $6 or $7 at other drug stores, for the full size). It is a powdery spray but it goes on feeling moist, so something about it causes the powder to absorb into your locks better than a pure powder that you just sprinkle on.  It's not like a baby powder at all. The aerosol container is lightweight and unmistakable in its white and green packaging. If you spray it too close to your head you will notice some white residue, but it's easily brushed out or rubbed in within seconds. This is the only dry shampoo brand out of almost ten that I've tried and purchased more than twice, and the only one that leaves my hair looking clean, reinvigorated, and somewhat volumized. And the perfect-for-your-purse (or carry-on) travel size is only about $3!

Moving right along, let's talk about a nice facial cleanser for all skin types (in case you're looking for something to use before applying your NeriumAD, wink wink): BioElements Flash Foam facial cleanser is another salon-quality product that I received from an esthetician, but you can get it online as well.  I've seen it sold for anywhere from $20-36, but one bottle will last you 4-8 MONTHS! No joke! You only need one to two pumps of this foam to cleanse your entire face, neck, and décolleté.

This lightweight cleanser is perfect for sensitive and even dry skin types, and it also removes makeup.  It gently exfoliates with pumpkin, papaya, and pineapple extracts, as well as green tea, vitamin B5, and orange oil.  It's light and fresh, easy and quick, and perfect for the shower or before bed.  Tip: leave it on for 3-5 minutes until the bubbles start tickling your face.  

So, can we move on to eyes? Because really, how important are your eyes, right?!
Whenever I actually take the time to put makeup on, it's my eyes that I focus on.  I'm not a foundation and bronzer kind of girl.  However, I do love eyeshadow, eyeliner, mascara, brow pencil, highlighter, and anything shimmery.  So, for a long time, I would do my makeup and then get frustrated a few hours later when everything was either smudging off or creased.  I couldn't figure out what I was doing wrong!

Smashbox 24 Hour Photo
Finish Shadow Primer

So I did what any sensible girl would do, and I crowd-sourced my problem to my girlfriends. Actually, to be honest, I crowd-sourced it to Facebook, but only my girlfriends responded.  It would've been pretty cool if a dude schooled me in makeup application tips, though.  But I digress...Low and behold, my savvy gal pals all recommended eyeshadow primer! A few different brand names floated around, and luckily I was able to get a sample of Smashbox brand from Sephora.  And it made all the difference! It's just a transparent base, kind of like a thinner/more pliable texture than clay, and I use my fingertips or the tip of one of those wedge sponges to smear it across my eyelids (from eyelash to eyebrow!) You can dab it under your eyes too before you put any concealer there to cover up dark circles, if that's your thing.  Anyway, my eye makeup now goes on richer, smoother, and lasts all day/night without creasing and smudging! Yay! Pretty sure it retails for around $20, but it's well worth every penny!

And while we're on the subject of eyes, there is one more direct sales/relationship marketing product that I love, and I do not sell it.  It's from Younique and it's called Moodstruck 3D Fiber Lash Mascara. (If you want some, I have several friends who sell it, just contact me and I'll hook you up with someone).  I tried this mascara while at a vendor event supporting my friend's daughter's dance team.  I saw a lady applying this to people (which I thought was a nice approach instead of just asking people to buy it without seeing for themselves what it can do) and I got in line.  Even though I already had day-old eye makeup on (oops) which included several coats of dried mascara, the 3D fiber mascara added length and volume to my lashes.  I bought some and took it home and fell in love.

Younique Moodstruck 3D Fiber Lash
Mascara $29

The cool thing about this mascara is that there's actual fibers in it that adhere to your lashes.  First you apply a coat or two of your normal mascara (I love Cover Girl Lash Blast).  Then you apply the Younique Transplanting Gel and while it's still wet, immediately apply the 3D Fibers.  It's pretty fool-proof, but a Younique representative could give you tips and tricks on how to best apply for an optimal look.  You can layer the coats of gel and fibers, and when I do so, my lashes are WAYYYYY bigger and longer than if I just wore regular mascara.  And it's not hard to get off (nothing like waterproof mascara).  

Now onto the lips.  I've managed to somehow find the gold mine of lip products
(and I am very picky about my lip cosmetics, as low maintenance as I claim to be!) The thing that irks me most about lipstick and lip gloss is that most of them change when they've been on for a while. If you eat or drink, brush your teeth or lick your lips, or just forget to reapply and let it dry out, most lip gloss and lipstick will flake, feather, clump, get tacky/goopy, or dry and chap your lips. No thanks. Dry lips and dry hands are two things I can't deal with!

Makeup Forever Rouge Artist
Natural in Copper Pink (N9)

But, thanks again to Sephora's free sample and VIB program, I have found two lip products that I absolutely adore. The first one is a lipstick by the brand Makeup Forever. The particular shade I use is called Copper Pink (N9), but I'm sure I'd like it in many of the other shades as well. It's a silky but not overly oily lip color, that can be applied coat by coat depending on the desired level of opacity. With one thin swipe you get a nice transparent-looking stain. With a back-and-forth application you get a creamy, rich color. This shade is a nice-but-not-overbearing, earthy red - perfect for fair-skinned girls with dark hair and light eyes - it's more of an understated crimson than a bold fire engine red, and you could definitely get away with wearing it to work in the daytime. 

I don't wear lipstick often, so the sample size is perfect for me and doesn't take up too much room in my clutch when I go out. Now that cell phones are so huge (iPhone 6 Plus or Galaxy Note, anyone?), it's important to have mini cosmetics on hand for touch ups without having to carry a huge bag. And it layers nicely over or under your favorite lip balm if you like a moisture barrier, but it's supple enough to hold its own. For a free sample, I have been extremely pleased with how long it's lasting me and I will definitely by a full-sized version in another color when I'm done. Sephora sells this for $20, which is not bad at all for a high-end brand.

Smashbox Be Legendary
Long-Wear Lip Lacquer
in Coral

The second lip product I've been loving is a Smashbox gloss.
I got a sample in a fun coral color, and it's THE most amazing gloss I've ever used (and I'm a prolific lip gloss user!) It's got high-impact color, but it doesn't come off when you eat, drink, or kiss! For a product with serious staying power, it doesn't dry out your pout when the gloss itself dries. It does stain your lips a little, so be prepared to have a bit of lasting color the next morning unless you scrub it all off, but it doesn't clump, fade, bleed, or transfer! I apply this over a lipstick or balm just to have a barrier so that my lips don't get as stained, but the color is strong enough to be used by itself. On the Sephora site the full-size gloss retails for $24.



Ok, back to skincare. Unless you can afford to get facials regularly, you probably don't do much for your skin on a deep level. I found Origins' Active Charcoal Mask and immediately went back and bought more after using it just one time! The sample-size single-use pods are perfect to take on the go (I don't know about you, but my skin freaks out when I travel), and they're a quick and painless way to pay less for the benefits of a facial. The mask is made with active charcoal, so it goes on black (unless you want to give someone a good scare, don't answer the door until you rinse it off!)

Origins Clear Improvement Active
Charcoal Mask to clear pores

First wash your face with hot water. To go the extra mile, press a hot, damp washcloth to your face for a few minutes to open your pores. Then apply the charcoal mask with clean fingers in an even layer all over your face. A sample pod comes with enough for a generous application, and I definitely recommend using it all! But if you buy a bottle, I'd say use a quarter-sized amount.  It's fragrance free (guy friendly) and dries within 10-15 minutes. Once it's dry, gently scrub off with a washcloth, one quadrant of your face at a time, rinsing the washcloth after scrubbing from each area of your face. The active charcoal pulls impurities from your pores and oxygenates your face, leaving it soft and glowing, with noticeably clearer pores and fewer blackheads. You can find Origins products online or at fine retailers, and the charcoal mask retails for $17-25, depending which size you want.

Boscia Luminizing Black Mask

There's another black mask that I love, but it's really more of a peel. It's by Boscia, and it dries into a shiny, almost patent leather-like mask, which then peels away (you'll still have to scrub off some of the excess). This is like a Biore pore strip in liquid form for your whole face. You apply it the same way as the charcoal mask (and likewise avoid answering the door), but it literally peels off like tape. When you start pulling away sections of the plastic-like mask, you'll notice the contents of your once-clogged pores stuck to the side of the peel that was against your skin. It has the same effect that a lint roller has on a sweater - peel it away and see all the lint and hair stuck to the tape. Use this once a month with your favorite pore strips (or in place of them), and you'll notice fewer breakouts and be less tempted to poke at your skin. Boscia makes pore strips meant to accompany this peel, and you can get the set at Sephora or other skincare retailers, but the 2.8 ounce tube of the mask/peel by itself sells for $34 at Sephora.

Dr. Jart Black Label Detox
BB Beauty Balm

Remember when I said I'm not a foundation and bronzer kind of girl? Well I do, from time to time, like to apply a thin veil of mineral powder or matte cover-up powder sometimes, and I find it works best over BB cream (a very thin layer of BB cream). Well, I love Dr. Jart's Black Label Detox Beauty Balm. Yes, this was another free sample from Sephora, how'd you guess?! This particular BB cream is a purifying formula with a 5-in-one perfecting look.  It contains caviar and antioxidants, as well as SPF 25 for sun exposure.  Now, I am prone to oily skin, so I always mix my BB cream with my NeriumAD Age-Defying Day Cream. Not only does this thin out the BB cream a bit, but it makes it go on more transparent (I'm pale and I don't like having tan-looking lines from using tinted moisturizers).

Surprisingly, this is a one-shade-fits-all product which claims to blend perfectly to your skin tone, and it does work for me on my pale skin.  I always look even and airbrushed when I wear this - and I usually just sweep a light powder over it with a kabuki brush. Sephora sells this for $18-36, in two sizes.

Josie Maran Bear Naked Wipes, $12

And what girl doesn't need some kind of miracle fix for her nails (or toenails) on the go every now and then?! I always paint my toenails a bright color for spring or whenever I'll be wearing sandals or just hanging out in flip flops.  And I got sick of trying to fit cotton balls, q-tips, nail sticks, and nail polish remover in my travel bag every time I went somewhere.  Is it just me, or do toenails seem to chip easily? Then I found these: Josie Maran Bear Naked Nail Wipes.  These little babies are like those eye-makeup remover towelettes (another fave) but for your nails! And they work great! Plus a portion of the proceeds gets donated to helping save endangered polar bears.  Awww.  So be a good person and buy them!

Well, there you have it! A normal girl's recommendations for fabulous skin, hair, makeup, and nails! Hopefully you'll love these items as much as I do! Please feel free to comment and let me know, or tell me about other items you love!